Backyard Treasures: Real Finds from People’s Own Property

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Posted on February 20, 2017

1857 US one dollar gold coin found by a metal detectorist at an old home site.

Have you checked YOUR backyard with a metal detector? The first question asked by new detecting hobbyists is “Where should I start hunting?” Believe it or not, the most obvious answer is the best: in your own backyard! And don’t forget to check the sides and front of your home, condo or apartment. You never know what’s been dropped or stashed there. If you live in an older home or property where old farm houses, sheds or buildings were, this is especially true. But even in newer neighborhoods, the soil could have been deposited from another location dating back hundreds of years ago.

Amazing Backyard Treasures:

According to an article on theNational Geographic website, these amateur detectorists really DID find BIG treasure—just by detecting out back!

Underground Stolen Money: In 1946, U.S. Army postal inspectors used a military metal detector to search a deceased postal employee’s backyard who was believed to have stolen money. They uncovered $153,150 buried in his backyard stashed in jars and cans!

Buried Model T: 1966: In Detroit, a man wielding a metal detector unearthed a Model T Ford that was buried in his backyard 40 years before.

JFK Conspiracy Info?: In 1975, an amateur treasure hunter found a bullet where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The FBI determined that the bullet was different than the type fired by alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.

Confederate Shell: 1997- Virginia: Two young boys using a metal detector unearthed a live Confederate Army artillery shell in their grandfather’s backyard.

Search Your Neighborhood for Big Treasure!

Even if you don’t find big treasure in your backyard, it may lie right around the corner! An avid detectorist and author revealed that he got permission to search his local church grounds and found: three Indian head pennies, a rosary ring, four clad quarters and a 1797 Connecticut large cent.